Explore the new frontier

It was the beginning of the end... but we didn't know it at the time. A massive, mysterious sphere called the Traveler helped deliver a golden age of humanity. Breathing new life into our solar system, planets which were previously inhospitable became new homes. Near and far, interplanetary cities thrived.

But this time of miracles wasn't to last. The Traveler's ancient enemy, the Darkness, followed. And soon after, our solar system became a wild and dangerous place, filled with terrifying adversaries. From the brutal war machines of the Cabal, to the lightning fast Fallen, no one was safe.

As a Guardian of the last safe city on Earth, it's up to you to harness some of The Traveler's incredible power in a new age of hope. You are the key to reclaiming our long lost worlds. And you are not alone...

A bold and beautiful new world

Our Solar System may be in ruin through the dark influence of destructive forces, but have no fear - Destiny is utterly beautiful. From the very start you're thrown into the gritty detail of a pillaged landscape eventually emerging into the slick and frozen winter blue hues of a sci-fi dystopia.

As you battle through your missions, the cinematic atmosphere draws you into this wonderfully enveloping universe. Spine-tingling shadows stalk gloomy corridors, while swirling pools of shimmering energy signal the use of magic or a spacecraft warping into view. Destiny surprises time and time again with its attention to detail, from the cracked glass of your rifle's scope after taking too much damage, to the rumble of distant battles as other players enter your level.

What is your destiny?

Even though you're armed to the teeth with rifles, pistols, grenades and other powerful weapons, a Guardian's journey is extremely dangerous. While you're going through vast landscapes, make good use of the smart waypoint system so you don't get lost, and the mini-map which tells you the general direction of any allies or enemies.

Don't expect the likes of the deadly Hive and powerful Vex to go easy on you, though. These and other fearsome foes use cloaking devices, take cover under fire, strike your flanks and throw grenades to flush you out from your hiding spot. Outsmart them by silently changing your position so they can't work out where you are, leaving them open to a sneak attack.

As you fight your way through thrilling and intense combat, your character's natural skill level will increase, adding role-playing game style progression to your arsenal. Soon you'll be taking advantage of abilities such as double jump, shields and throwing knives, as well as improved armour and weapons. Be sure to dismantle old gear for currency (Glimmer) and head to the safe haven of the Tower to regroup, rearm and form new alliances.

Greatness awaits – bring friends

Your first step in building your very own legend is creating a worthy character. Destiny lets you choose your Guardian's race, gender, face and features. More importantly, you start as one of three classes: Titan, an armoured engine of war; Warlock, the mystic warrior; and Hunter, the deadly assassin-like stalker. Each possesses unique perks and abilities, meaning between its look, traits, weapons and armour your character will stand out from the other Guardians you'll meet.

And you will meet plenty. Destiny is an expansive, persistent online world, so you'll make new friends storming the story missions, roaming the wild frontier in search of adventure, going on a six player Raid or forming a Fireteam to infiltrate an enemy stronghold. Joining pals while increasing your levels is incredibly engaging, and knowing that you can call on them for help with a difficult mission keeps you moving forward.

Expect the unexpected, too. At any time during your outing you may get the chance to take part in a spontaneous and challenging public event, invading your current mission. Tackling these and surviving with other Guardians creates a massive sense of camaraderie few shooters can match.

Not feeling so friendly? Then the Crucible lets you hone competitive skills against other Guardians in arenas that span the solar system. Victory earns you rewards and reputation, so indulging in a bit of competitive action helps mix things up and keeps your edge sharp.